Broncos vs. Colts Pick – NFL Week 15

A few years ago, the Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts would have had national attention. Peyton Manning against his former team, going up against his replacement the talented Andrew Luck. Well, instead it’s just another ugly matchup on Thursday Night Football. The NFL smartened up and started scheduling some quality matchups this season, like for instance, last week the Falcons and Saints played on Thursday Night Football.

This week we get the Broncos and Colts. The Colts are trying their best with the cards they’ve been dealt, and are doing an okay job. They’ve had issues along the offensive line mostly, but there are holes to patch up elsewhere as well, notably on the defense. Despite the less than ideal defensive unit, the Colts are losing games because of their inept offensive line. It wouldn’t matter if Andrew Luck was under center. He’d be getting beaten up, too.

The fact that Jacoby Brissett does have some mobility characteristics to his game helps the Colts out. If you have a shoddy offensive line, a quarterback who can escape pressure is certainly always welcome. He isn’t a burner, Brissett doesn’t fly, but he is capable of moving around in the pocket. Brissett will have to use it on Thursday night, as he will have a good pass rush coming his way.

The Broncos are coming off a much needed beatdown of the New York Jets. It was their win in nine games! Even with all of those losses in a row, the Broncos are still statistically alive for a wildcard. It’s improbable, but they haven’t been officially removed from the wildcard picture. That may be the only way Vance Joseph keeps his job after this season.

It isn’t often a coach gets fired after just one year, but Joseph has looked way in over his head. Everything is coming at him way too fast, and he certainly wasn’t ready to be a leader. Who knows, maybe he completely turns it around and that looks like a stupid comment in the future. I’m just stating what I’ve observed from him thus far. Trevor Siemian will get the call as the starting quarterback on Thursday night. The Broncos have gone through a quarterback carrousel and have ultimately reverted back to Siemian. Good idea. Head below for our free Broncos vs. Colts pick on Thursday Night Football.

Denver Broncos vs. Indianapolis Colts Betting Odds:

Broncos vs. Colts Pick:

The Colts may be a 3-10 football team, but like I said, they’re dealing the hand that they’ve been dealt. I really don’t think Chuck Pagano is much of a good head coach, I’d take several over him, but the 3-10 record isn’t all his fault. The front office hasn’t done a good job bringing in talent. Their philosophy was let’s throw Andrew Luck and T.Y. Hilton on the field and see what happens. They’ve done a poor job diversifying their roster. Their offensive line can be cringe worthy at times. They’ve allowed 52 sacks, dead last in the NFL at 31st. Brissett has been hit a whopping 102 times. So, let’s imagine for a second that Brissett was a statue in the pocket with no legs. That number would be considerably higher.

The Broncos have yet to win a game on the road this season. All of their wins have come at Mile High. Their most recent loss on the road, was a humiliating performance against the Broncos, a 35-9 loss. The Colts enter Thursday night losing four straight games. The offense has been stagnant, with an average of just 12.5 points scored per game. They were outgained in every outing. They are coming off a 13-7 overtime loss to the Bills in a snowstorm. It will feel nicer to be in the friendly confines of Lucas Oil Stadium.

The defense for the Broncos was suffocating last week. It was against the Jets, but the Colts are in a similar position offensively. Josh McCown passed for just 46 yards and an interception, and Bilal Powell was held to 35 yards rushing. They may have a record of 4-9, but their defense is still playing at an incredible level. The Bronco defense is allowing only 280.5 yards per game, 2nd in the NFL. Colts’ center Ryan Kelly will be out again this week. They can’t afford any injuries to their offensive line, but the football gods aren’t being too kind in that regard. Between injuries and poor play, the Colts have used four different centers.

The Colts are 31st on offense with respects to total yardage per game. Denver should be able to get at Brissett all night. Siemian isn’t a great quarterback, but I find him to be an upgrade over Paxton Lynch and Brock Osweiler. He came in for Lynch a few weeks ago against the Raiders, and the offense seen in an instant boost. I can see the Broncos finding their first win on the road in Indianapolis on Thursday night.

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